Harness bracket for fishing rods



Feb. 3, 1942. J. F. KERKAM I HARNESS BRACKET FOR FISHING RODS Filed July 12, 1941 I m K m Patented 3, 1942 V p i .8 perms;

, This invention pertains toyan improvedharness I bracket for attachment Lto;fishing rods, particularly heavy fishing' 'rods, and. to which the hooks orsnaps of the anglers harness may be attached.

It is usual.in,so-cal1edbig ame fishing for the, angler to weara-harne'ss'of leather or' other materiali about his shoulders or :back hooked by straps or traces to harness rings on. the tops of the side plates ofthe reel toassisthim ini pu'mpingi" and working heavy fish. This harness further assists the angler in holding a heavy reel the) side plates of the reel out of 1 alignment. 7

When a fish makes a sudden run tof-the side or sounds deep to the'side a heavy strain is thrown against one or the other-of thesideplates of the reel.'.l This frequently causes disalignment er that side plate and' results -inffreezing ori am ming' of the reel spooL- Irreparable damageto v thereel and, in mostcases; loss of the fishresult.

.Large fishing' reels-of sizes 9/0 to 16/0 have been brought to a high'state'o-f perfection. Most of them :are' 'ball bearing throughout and made of the very finest materials If they are not abused they will last indefinitely. However;v due to the practice of attaching the harnesstraces at the'tops of the side p1atesof the 'reelthel aforementioned disalignment of the plates 'with attendant damage to'thereel frequently-occurs. I Another disadvantage in the attachment of the harness to the-top of the reel itsel-f lies in the fact that a great deal Of, the anglers efiort is wasted due to insufficient leverage on the rod.

Large reels for the heaviest type of game angling (9/0to 16/0) 'are'from to 8 /2' in diameter. The reel is mounted on a'reel seat on the-butt of the rod and thus extendsitoa distance equal to'its diameter above the axis of the rod. The

buttsof most heavy fishingrods are from 414" to 18" in lengthlandtare supportedin a swivel socket-mounted in the-frontcenteroi the fishing chair several inches below'seatlevel. ;As aresu1t of the height ofthe reel and the length of the butt 'the traces running from the-shoulder harnessto the reel are relatively short, on the order of from-12"; to 16" inglength-ior the-average angler -.:,-Due;to the shortness of the traces and k N the pointiatwhich theyare attached toj the rod] 55 andxthe'harness aboutan -angler; I

.5 Q nheavyfishi g for'giant tun; ail-Leeward;

' on thean'sl r Erjomut e i keylm lz e is heated the an ler. m t e e thimselb o I t e; r r l e e t-.ex -zys i e st ssoin se t ilserio s i jury, and sbmetim sde hizh ye. resulted. "LAP:

1o p ioant ir dev ceeis, desi n d: o elim nate much of the mechaniqahadl ntage i e rod-hwit iapnli an n. 7 ,fort: ,x rt dmre ltsqm reatly i creased.af o -po nds; iylenergyaanpliedrto the Y rod The-idea Yi LQ," the e orezmakes heavy :fishine asible r rsonso i -f rio st e e h-i dstature. a

,p 1i antfs .inventionyiconsis tin .:a r ket de? m sjgned tqj b mounted SibOlll'iufihB 10f 'lth 'll' d 0 abov the eel; toireceivetheihooks of the har mes I traces; I Which-5 willzobviate 19 T defects-a at:

a tendantio i. 'the'gconventionalmethod .015 gharness attachment; ;It;e1iminates most; of. the.iioauses of damage to thesreel and fuxther enablesdthe angler l to .applyegreatertiorce tot the mod without nGXQGSSiVBIfeXGItiOHIOI'. strain. The .device consists 7 preferably in 'asubstantially 'v'qor -.U-.shaped bracket which. is placed. undergor aboutathelfor r ward gripwonfthe; tip of the .rodlpreferably' at 80 least 61, in frontyofwthe reel 'and;.which extends v outwardly and upwardly from v athe rod. The a bracket is preferablytafiixedto thev grip by :suit- .ab1e clamping*; means which -.prevent" relative I movement betweenvitfan'cl the rod; To the upper extremitiesiofithefbracket-areipreferably affixed r I suitable rings to which th harness-"hooks or I ,snapsz m'a'y bewzl attached. The shape of the bracketywas determined :by :the necessity: for 1;a1'-

- lowi icleara'noey :for the line" as it passes. be 40 tween the r eel,spoo1 and theifirst guide .on, the rod and 'by the necessity ior increasingthe lev ewhish the} an le m a plvt tthe rod-qhe c iet visreMeierab s r t d. of a li ht t l m lt-i1- e. zs .q rm n d.t t t e; farther ;thebracket I p v greater the Llevra th" anglermay appnito the radii H I t, v

' Referring to 'the I I Fig.1 is apei spectiveview of fa'rodf andfrel with the 'improvedfharness,*bracket'attached to. the-f'orwardgrip 'od, showing h nariiess v traces attachdt t ripei'" extremities of the bracketn T-he iro is sewn in fishingiposition with -the=butt mounted thefishing chair socketlsie eat .4 van e: and

fi s andamak a krazt rifi t ii s m ose V s rainion t e/an er yy,in e si zthe tw en the a er, and

Fig. 2 is a top elevation of the bracket in position on the rod showing the harness traces attached thereto;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a substantially V-shaped embodiment of the bracket;

Fig. 3a is a detail view showing the slot in the extremities of clamp Ill;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention in which a clamp is hinged under the bracket and tightened thereagainst by a suitable wing nut;

Fig. 4a is a detail view showing the slot in the outer extremity of clamp l8;

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of an embodiment of the invention utilizing two hinged arms clamped to the rod by a bolt and wing nut.

Fig. 6 is an end View of an embodiment of the bracket in which the arms make an angle with each other of not less than 90 or more than 120.

In the drawing, Fig. 1, l indicates a fishing rod comprising the usual butt section 2 and.- tip section 3. Mounted-on tip section 3 is forward grip 4 which is usually made of felt. Reel 5 is mounted on butt 2 as by the conventional reel seat mounting. The usual harness-attaching rings 5a are shown affixed at the tops of the side plates of reel 5. A line is illustrated running from reel 5 through the guides on tip '3. Rod l is shown mounted in a conventional butt socket 2a affixed to the usual fishing chair 2b. Mounted about grip 4 at a distance of preferably 6" to 12' from reel 5 is bracket 6, whichmay be constructed of Duralumin, bronze or any light strong metal. Bracket 6 may be formed in any suitable manner, as by stamping, casting, etc. Bracket 6 comprises a base portion 1 and arms 8 carrying suitable attaching rings 9 at their extremities. As illustrated, it is preferably skeletal in form and carries external rib Ga to provide the required strength. Arms 8 are preferably from 4" to 10" in length but maybe made longer 'or shorter if desired. Bracket 6 preferably fits below the rod grip 4 and is afiixed thereto by means of suitable curved clamp l fitted over the top of rod grip 4 and clamped tobracket 6v by means of bolts II and wing nuts 12. Clamp I0 is preferably made of metal and is suitably bored at its extremities, as shown in Fig. 4a, to allow passage of bolts H, which are suitably mounted on the interior of bracket 6. Base 1 of bracket 6 is preferably curved and recessed to receive the lower portion of grip 4. This curved recess is preferably from 2" to 4" in length, as illustrated, to provide firm seating for bracket 6 against rod grip 4. It is preferably lined with felt to. prevent damage to the rod.

A fishing harness is illustrated about the anglers back and shoulders and attached to bracket 6. It comprises back member l3, traces I4 and hooks l designed to hook into rings 9 at the extremities of arms 8.

Fig. 2 shows bracket 6 in position on the forward grip 4 of a rod, with arms 8 disposed at substantially 45 angles to a vertical plane through the guides of the rod. Reel 5 is illustrated mounted on butt 2 of the rod and the line is shown passing between the arms of the bracket. Harness traces 14 carrying hooks l5 are shown connected to rings 9 of the bracket. As shown, bracket 6 is preferably mounted from 6" to 12 ahead of the reel, preferably near the forward end of rod grip 4. Curved clamp I0 is shown. fitting over grip 4 of the rod tip and bored. to allow passage of bolts. U, mounted on bracket 6. Wing nuts l2 are shown on bolts I i to tighten clamp l 0 over grip 4.

Fig. 3 shows one embodiment of bracket 6. Bracket B is preferably constructed of any strong light metal, for example, Duralumin, bronze, etc., and may be cast, stamped or formed in any de sired fashion. As illustrated, bracket 6 is preferably substantially V-shaped. Arms 8 preferably form an angle of from to with each other. Base 1 of bracket 6 is suitably recessed to receive the lower portion of the grip of the rod.

This recess is preferably from 2" to 4" in length to provide firm seating for bracket 6. Curved clamp Ill is shown suitably positioned over rod grip 4 and adjustable with respect thereto by This means of bolts ll carrying wing nuts l2. embodiment of the bracket is preferably skeletal in form with reinforcing rib 6a provided about its exterior to give the required strength.

Arms 8 .of bracket 6 may be of any desired length, but are preferably-from 4 to 10 long. It has been determined that the longer the arms 8 the greater the leverage which may be. applied to the. rod. As a general rule the heavier the. tackle the longer. the. arms should be. For example, with a 35 oz..tip, 14/0 reell'l" in diameter) and 54 thd. line, arms 8 are preferably from 6 to 10" in length. The length may be. regulated to the requirements of the angler.

Illustrated at the upper extremities of arms 8 and suitably affixed thereto are rings 9 designed to receive hooks l5 affixed to harness traces 14.

Fig. 4 illustrates another. embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment. base. iii of bracket 6. is curved tofit over griplli of the. rod tip. Hingedly mounted to base l.6..as by hinge. I1 is curved clamp 18, preferably formed of the same metal as bracket 6.. Clamp I8. is suitably slotted atv its outer extremity, as shown in Fig. 4a, to receive bolt l9, which: is suitably aifixed to the under side of base l6... Bolt [9. is suitably screwe threaded to receive wing. nut 20. Hinged clamp I3 is suitably curved to fit under, grip. 4. of. the rod tipand is tightened thereunder. by means. of bolt l9 and wing nut- 20. As illustrated, base l8 of bracket 6 is on the order from 2" to. 4 in length to provide firm seating for bracket 6 on grip 4., Hinged clamp 18, is illustrated as slightly shorter than base I6. Arms 8., carrying rings 9, are illustrated suitably made integral with, base l6. Arms 8 preferably make. an angle of from 9.0 to 120 with each ther and are preferably from; 4" to 10" in length, though. they may be made longer or shorter, if desired. They are preferably rectangular in crossrsection and taper slightly to their upperextremities. This embodim i o era y o medo a y i t. stron e lt Fig. 5. shows another embodiment of the inven: tion in which arms 2| are provided suitably hinged together at their lower extremities as by hinge 22. Arms 2| are preferably from 8! to 16"in length. They are preferably rectangular in cross section and. are formed of an y'light strong metal. Arms 2| are suitably slotted-as at 23 and 24 to allow passage of bolt 25. Slots 2'3 and 24 are'preferably on the order of 2 in length. Bolt 25 is suitably screw-threaded at its extremity to take wing nut 26. Clamping brackets Z1 and 2B are illustrated. They are preferablymade integral with the lower interior walls of arms 2i from 1 to 2-" above hinge 22 and are designed to fit against the sides of the rod grip. Clamping. brackets 21 and;2,8 are preferably from 2.- to 4'" in length to; provide firin seating of the zthe'rpump. aWiththe' new bracket itis possible bracket on'the grip of the rod. Theyare clamped to pump; with' both hands? on the reel. This against the rod grip by'means ofbolt .25 andwing nut 26. Harness rings 9 are shown made .integral with the tops of armsZl. I: M

Fig.6 shows an embodimentof the invention, similarto that shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, in which .arms 8 of the bracket make an angle of not-less than 90 or more than 120? with each other.;

The device, is utilized as follows. 'After the :rod has been-assembled and the'reel mounted on the reel seat the harness'bracket is placed under .the forward grip of the rod at a desired distance above the reel, preferably 6"" to-i12f',.'and is clamped tightly thereto by the. clamping means --so-.a's to be incapable of longitudinal or :lateral movement. With the bracket tightly amxed to swivel socket and then aflixes the hooks of his harness traces to the rings at the extremities of the bracket. As the bracket is immovablewith respect-to, the tip of the rod the rod-reel comproper position. The harness tracesmay; be adju sted in length to suit the requirement of; the

individual angler. For the average anglierfthe harness traces will be from 6? to 12" longer than with the old type of'riggi'ng. In fishing position the line running from the reel to the first guide of the rod passes through bracket 6 with'more than adequate clearance. Bracket 6 is so attached to the grip of the rod that a vertical plane bisecting the angle between the arms of the results in a much faster recovery of. line than was previously possible. I l

;With this new harness bracket disalignment cand' excessive wear oni the'side plates of the reel,

. .duehtothe improved positioning, of the bracket bination willthus be supported in an upright and bracket will coincide with the vertical plane I through the guides of the rod.

Aside from the problem of twisting or disaligning the reel plates caused by aifixing the harness traces thereto one of the primary problems facing theangler for large fish is that of raising a heavy fish after he has sounded to a great depth.

The tuna, for example, will make several long runs and between runs will sound to great depths, sometimes to three or four hundred yards, depth of water permitting. A six hundred or seven hundred pound fish at this depth is practically immovable. With the old type of harness rigging it was usual practice for the angler to brace himself and'for the bo'atman to move the boat and harness trace a heavy pressure may be ap plied on the fish with comparatively slight exertion by the angular.

In pumping a heavy fish from the depths the increased leverage provided by thepositioning of the bracket and the length of the arms of the bracket enables the angler to put a great deal more force into the pump" than was previously possible. Moreover, during pumping it is not necessary for the angler to grasp the forward grip of the rod with both hands while pumping and then release his grip with his right hand to turn the reel handle ashe leans forward after "and Where the fish must and to the length of the arms thereof the angler gler to place hisfulcrum. orz-purchase point at that point on the tip of .the rodwhere he can take full advantage of thefiexibility of thetip.

The inventor has e Perimentedjwith the harness bracketand has :found that vwith it he can exert a great deal more force'onan'object at the end ,of theline than was -:;possible -with the old type ofattachment. Further, he hasdetermined that the new bracket; greatly reduces fatigue and en--v ablesan angler to bring his fish to the boatiin a much shorter time v-thanwas previously possible.-

aspect of, the invention is particularly important inwaters where; sharks arenumerous be boated rapidly or be taken by them. l

The method of attaching the bracket to the forward grip of the rod may be varied in many ways. Screw down clamps as illustrated may be utilized, a bolt and wing nut may be, utilized, or any other suitable and well known means may be used. The bracket may be madeintegral with the rod. j

The bracket may be substantially V-shaped or U-shaped or any other feasible'shape. The arms may be of any desired length,i. e., from approximately 1 inch in lengthgto approximately 10,

inches .or more in length, depending upon the type of tackle and the type of harness used. The angle between the arms of the bracket, in the substantially V-shaped embodiment, may be varied from approximately 45 to approximately 120 or more. The preferred range'of angularity is from approximately to approximately The device is particularly designed for use with so-called heavy tackle, i. e., rods with tips weighing from 16. to 50'ounces and 24 to 54 thread lines. -It may, however, becorrespondingly reduced in size for use with lighter tackle.

For example, with a 9 ounce tip and 15 thread line, the bracket may be made of Duralumin and the arms may be on the order of 1" to 3" in length. n I

To sum up, the new bracket reduces damage to reels to a minimum. by relieving the plates of all unnecessary strain. 3 It increases the anglers mechanical advantage and leverage onthe rod,

enabling him to exert great force againstlthe fish with a minimum of exertion. Lastly, it

leaves the reel free on the rod and enables thev angler to handle his tacklewith the minimum of exertion and with greater efliciency than is possible with-the conventional type-of harness attachment. In short, it enables women or men of small stature andstrength totake large fish with smalldanger of strain or over-exertion'and in a remarkably short'spaceof time;

'Theinvention is susceptible of numerous embodiments. The specification lsfor. purposes of illustration only and attention is directed to the appended claims for limiting the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A harness bracket for fishing rods comprising a base portion curved to fit the grip of the rod, arms aifixed to said base portion and extending outwardly and upwardly therefrom, means cooperating with said base portion to hold said harness bracket against movement on a rod, and means provided on said arms to receive the hooks 'of a rod harness.

said bracket member for holding said bracket member against movement on the rod, and means at the upper extremity of said bracket member to receive the hooks of a rod harness.

4. A harness bracket for fishing rod comprising a base section, arms extending from said base section, means associated with said base section for holding said bracket against movement on a .fishing rod, and means carried by said arms to receive the hooksof a rod harness.

5. 'A harness bracket for fishing rods comprising a base section, arms extending from said base section at an angle of not less than and not more than to each other, means associated with said base section to hold said bracket against movement on a rod, and means carried by said arms to receive the hooks of a rod harness.

6. A harness bracket for fishing rods comprising a base section, arms extending from said base section at 'an angle of more than 45 to each other, means associated with said base section to hold said bracket against movement on a rod, and means carried by said arms to receive the hooks of a rod harness.

7. A harness bracket for fishing rods comprisingtwo arms hingedly afiixed together, means associated with said arms for clamping them againstmoveinent on a rod, and means carried by said arms to receive the hooks of a rod harness.

8. A harness bracket for fishing rods comprising two arm members articulately afiixed together at one extremity for relative movement with each other, means associated with said arm members for clamping them against movement on a rod, and means at the extremities of said arm members to receive the hooks of a rod harness.

JOHN FREEMAN KERKAM. 

